A collection of moving, tear-jerking songs recommended for women in their 90s—heartfelt tunes that resonate with the soul.

Sad SakeMisora Hibari

Sad Sake (with spoken lines)

Hibari Misora’s “Kanashii Sake” is a touching masterpiece that entrusts the pain of heartbreak to sake.

The taste of the drink overlaps with the tears of a lost lover, and the more she drinks, the more the face she wants to forget rises to the surface—poignant lyrics that strike the heart.

Released in 1966, the song became a massive hit, selling 1.45 million copies.

Misora’s clear, crystalline voice and profound emotional expression deeply move listeners.

It’s a song to play when you want to heal the pain of lost love or reflect on life.

It will surely resonate in your heart.

school daysPegī Hayama

school days

A song filled with youthful memories comes back to life in the voice of Peggy Hayama.

Released in 1964, this piece richly portrays student life at a mission school.

Prayers in the chapel, memories with friends, studying in the library, and fleeting first love—nostalgic scenes come vividly to mind.

It was performed on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 1965 and went on to become a million-seller.

Beloved as a standard song for graduations and reunions, it may prompt older listeners to reflect on their own school days.

Why not hum along, together with your cherished memories?

The Izu DancerMisora Hibari

The Izu Dancer

This is the song Hibari Misora sang as the theme for the 1954 film based on a novel by Yasunari Kawabata.

In the movie, Misora herself plays the lead role, and the wistful melody blends beautifully with her emotionally rich vocals to create a gem of a track.

Upon the film’s release, the song quickly became a major talking point, and Misora’s powerful yet delicate singing captivated many hearts.

As a classic that represents the Showa era, it’s sure to stir nostalgic memories of youth.

Why not reminisce about those days with friends who lived through the same era, listening together to Misora’s voice? You’re sure to enjoy a delightful time.

Parting at 22kaguya hime

Parting at 22 / Kaze (with lyrics)

A delicately rendered farewell to a longtime lover, this is a classic song that almost everyone has hummed at least once.

Released by Kaguya-hime on their 1974 album “Sankaidate no Uta,” it is said to have been written in a single night.

In 1984, it was used as the theme song for the drama “Kinō, Kanabetsu de,” bringing it back into the spotlight.

Accompanied by a gentle melody, the lyrics look back on memories with a lover while gazing toward a new step in life—offering comfort to those who have overcome a turning point in their lives.

Let yourself go with the flow of timeTeresa Ten

Leave oneself to the flow of time / Teresa Teng (with lyrics)

A gem of a love song whose melody, filled with kindness and warmth, gently permeates the heart.

With gratitude for meeting a beloved person and a love so deep that one could give everything for them, Teresa Teng’s clear, transparent voice expresses these emotions with rich nuance.

Released in February 1986, the song won the Grand Prize at the 19th Japan Cable Awards, marking an unprecedented third consecutive win, and it resonated widely across Asia.

Its major-key, soaring melody gently touches the hearts of older listeners, offering a soothing moment wrapped in nostalgia.

As a song that creates a warm atmosphere where people can look back on the past and share their feelings for those they cherish, it also serves as a bridge for communication.

Becoming a Thousand WindsAkiyama Masashi

Masafumi Akikawa “A Thousand Winds” Music Video

As a masterpiece of beautiful Japanese ballads, Masafumi Akikawa’s singing voice has left a deep impression on many hearts.

With the powerful, soaring tone characteristic of a tenor, this gem of a song gently conveys the preciousness of life and feelings for loved ones.

Released in May 2006, it became an extraordinary hit for a classical singer, creating a major buzz that included Akikawa serving as the closing performer for the White Team at the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen the following year.

In 2007, it was also selected as the theme song for a Fuji TV documentary drama.

Singing about the feelings one has for someone dear, this work continues to be cherished across generations as a song that resonates in many moments of life.

Like a flower that blooms in the fieldDa Kāpo

Like a Wildflower – Da Capo #LikeAWildflower #DaCapo #TheNakedGeneral’sWanderingTales

A timeless song with a simple, gentle warmth brings a refreshing breath of spring that makes you want to hum along.

In words anyone can understand, it conveys the importance of living naturally, like flowers blooming in the fields.

Da Capo released this heart-touching piece in July 1983.

Beloved as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “The Naked General’s Travelogue,” its lyrics inspired many by giving courage to face life’s challenges.

Since 1992, the song has also been included in elementary school music textbooks, and it continues to be sung across generations.

Please enjoy this piece—one that evokes fond memories and the calm arrival of spring—together with older adults.